The very first thing I had to do was to go buy myself an insulated gallon jug and filled it with water. For three days i wasn't able to set the water jug down. Every few minutes I was chugging another drink of cold refreshing water. I never knew water could be so good.
I stayed at the KOA Campgrounds in Cat City (I think it was ) and I remember the first morning I woke inside my tent and it was some kind of hot. I got up and went to the front office to refill my water jug and I saw a big thermometer on the side of the building. The numbers went to 120 and the red mercury was all the way to the end of the bulb. I'm certain it was not yet 120 degrees outside as the thermometer was in the direct sunlight, but then again my tent was also.
Just being back in the desert was exciting for me. I was able to leave my jug behind at a reasonable distance after three days and I spent a week exploring old memories. I wish I could live that week over again and again. I had a blast!
I hae memories, too, of seeing stars like that once on a trip back from Fresno when I was 10; we stopped for gas and the sky was gorgeous. Also, coming down from a visit to Mt. Rainier in Washington state, we stopped and the stars were unbelievable. Same for Mammoth Mtn.!
I hate to bring this up, but 15 years ago tomorrow morning was the Northridge Earthquake, which shook us to the core. All the power, of course, was out, and I do remember glancing at the sky and seeing an unbelievable display of stars...but I couldn't enjoy it, given the disaster that had just occurred. I'd rather recall the others!!